Crashes happen from fog and smoke on U.S. 19

Three separate accidents on U.S. Highway 19 happened Saturday morning when vehicles crashed into each other due to zero visibility, according to reports.

The highway closed from State Road 345, just south of the Gas Mart of Chiefland to SR 24 at Otter Creek from 7:50 a.m. until about 10 a.m., Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Mike Burroughs said.

There were no injuries in the accidents, although one person suffered from chest pain and was taken to Seven Rivers Hospital in Crystal River, Burroughs said.

The older fire engine from Chiefland Fire Rescue sustained minor damage, CFR Chief John Ward said. A truck pulling a boat was traveling too fast for conditions and the truck swerved to miss the fire truck but the boat hit the fire truck. The fire truck was being used to help stop oncoming vehicles, which would have run into rescue personnel who were helping clear wrecks.

"The fire truck was the least of my worries," Ward said. "That truck and boat possibly would have killed four or five people if the fire truck didn't stop it. When you've got somebody like that going so recklessly..."

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